Preferred Options November 2021

Support

Representation ID: 1664

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: WM Housing Associations

Agent: Tetlow King Planning

The HAPC is pleased to see that the Local Plan Review is supported by a new Strategic Housing Market
Assessment (2021) which establishes an affordable housing need of 128 affordable dwellings per
annum. It should be noted that the net requirement would increase from 128 to 195 affordable homes
per year in South Staffordshire if 30% of gross household income could be spent on housing costs. This
would increase further to 262 affordable homes per year if 25% of income could be spent on housing
costs. The HAPC encourages South Staffordshire to set realistic targets and to introduce policies that
will assist in tackling the affordability issues in the authority.

Support

Representation ID: 1789

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: WM Housing Associations

Agent: Tetlow King Planning

Supports vision for local plan and Strategic Objectives 2 and 3. Key objective of NPPF is to significantly boost supply of homes, and also requires size, type and tenure of housing to be assessed and reflected in planning policies. This includes affordable housing. Remains appropriate for Council to set a district-wide policy of encouraging affordable housing development to deliver a sufficient mix of house types, tenures, and restrictions to meet specific needs where these occur, and as viable. Policy on housing mix should reference not only the most up to date evidence base but allow developers to demonstrate how proposals will meet local needs in accordance with any other up to date evidence, such as housing need surveys, the housing register, and reference to existing stock.

Support

Representation ID: 1790

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: WM Housing Associations

Agent: Tetlow King Planning

Balanced and objective perspective on Green Belt. Recognising important role of Green Belt but also restriction it places on delivering new homes. Amending Green Belt will help to ensure a sufficient supply of deliverable and developable land - support for removal of sites from Green Belt to deliver housing and maximise affordable housing provision. Support for limited affordable housing through rural exception sites and amendments to Green Belt boundaries for development allocations. Support for Green Belt compensatory measures.
Support for clear breakdown of distribution of housing growth across 5 localities, but flexible approach needed specifically for the delivery of affordable housing. What is set out in each of the localities should be guidleline rather than policy.

Support

Representation ID: 1791

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: WM Housing Associations

Agent: Tetlow King Planning

Support especially for directing growth to most sustainable locations, whilst accepting very limited growth in less sustainable areas. Understand approach of directing growth to Tier 1 settlements but Council should consider alternative rural locations for development where suitable to ensure that rural needs are met and required affordable housing provision is delivered.
Support for inclusion of strategic development sites, but should consider a more flexible approach. If enough affordable homes are to be delivered, Council should assess proposals on case by case basis, affordable housing may have to be located in range of locations. Small sites just as important to (affordable) housing delivery and can be delivered much quicker.

Support

Representation ID: 1792

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: WM Housing Associations

Agent: Tetlow King Planning

HC1 - Support
HC2 - Support. A minimum density requirement should also be set for other areas to ensure an adequate supply of housing
HC3 - Support for 30% affordable housing, must be rigorously viability tested. Council should request affordable housing contributions or on site provision on smaller schemes where viable. Smaller sites for 100% affordable housing should be considered. Shared ownership should continue to be supported. Clusters of 10-15 affordable units on larger sites. Support for SPD to be adopted.
HC6 - Support for policy but more flexible approach to demonstrating local need, should accept housing register and government data returns as evidence.
NB2 - Support, but this should not prejudice affordable housing delivery. Guidance should be provided on how biodiversity net gain can be achieved in development. Does not need to be higher than 10% due to potential impacts on viability.

Object

Representation ID: 1793

Received: 13/12/2021

Respondent: WM Housing Associations

Agent: Tetlow King Planning

HC11 - No published evidence which shows the Council's need for adopting NDSS, policy is incompatible with national planning guidance.